Every word Mikel Arteta said on Gabriel injury, Pep Guardiola and Thomas Partey contract

The Gunners boss has spoken to the press ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with West Ham United at the London Stadium

Mikel Arteta has spoken to the press ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with West Ham United at the London Stadium.

The Gunners go into the game off the back of a superb 5-1 win over Sporting CP in midweek. They seem to be finding form at the perfect time given that title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool face off against each other this weekend.

Arteta was asked questions on all this and more at the Sobha Realty Centre on Friday morning. Read everything he had to say below.

Any team news?

Not a lot because we have another training session. We have to see how the boys are today. A few weren’t able to train yesterday, but hopefully yes today. We will have to wait and see

I don’t link character to winning. This team showed unbelievable character against Inter and we lost, unbelievable character against Chelsea and we didn’t win despite being the better team. Same players, same intentions. Being more efficient and winning matches. That’s the difference.

What relationship do you have with Lopetegui?

I know him, I have huge admiration for what he’s done in the game. He’s from the same area as I am in Spain. Obviously it’s a team that are now on a high after their big win against Newcastle away. It’s always a really tough opponent so we know that.

Is there a feeling you need to be near-perfect to catch Liverpool?

If they continue that way that’s for sure. The results they are producing, the amount of games they are winning. But the focus is just on us. If we keep winning games, maintaining the consistency in terms of performances that’s going to give us a better chance of winning. Keep the availability because this is a long run.

Will you be watching City vs Liverpool?

100%. It’s a big match, a beautiful match to watch. Two of the best teams in Europe facing each other. So it’s a big one.

Do you have a preference on who you want to win?

Less travelling is always better. It’s crazy that we have that many games so close to us. I think it helps, because the amount of games that we have to play in that period is very high.

Will we see Lewis-Skelly in midfield with more depth at left-back now?

That’s an option. He can play in three different positions. He can play as a holder, he can play as a left attacking midfielder. So gaps for him.

Will you always overload on the right or is the plan to do more on the left?

Not always. It’s in relation to the opponent, it’s in relation to the chemistry and quality of our players. In relation to our opponent we will do different things as well.

What have you made of West Ham?